My family has been moved to start this $20,000-goal fundraiser for my sister Ahní, an accomplished, interdisciplinary, 2D +3D artist of profoundly meaningful, environmental artworks. She is entering her senior years, with her 77-year-old partner.

A perfect storm is engulfing their lives, and without immediate support, which no one in our family has the resources to provide, their lives could take a severe downhill spiral, risking the loss of everything. Ahni’s partner had complex spinal surgery 18 months ago and it did not resolve the issue. It’s actually worse. He is in a constant high-level of pain, unable to work. It is called “Failed Back Surgery Syndrome” (FBSS) or Pseudarthrosis. The added bone growth material between the two vertebrae has not fused properly, leading to persistent pain and instability 24/7 as the two vertebrae rub bone-on-bone. Funds raised could potentially assist in travel expenses and an out-of-pocket appropriate medical assessment by Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

Ahní, my sister, after years of teaching studio arts at two local colleges as a beloved adjunct professor, in Santa Fe, New Mexico where they live, while also serving as her partner’s caregiver, recently learned she has a reduced courseload (lower college enrollments overall, etc.). Ahni teaches many courses such as Public Space Design + Public Art and Figure Drawing. This is jeopardizing her modest income.

The present situation is complicated by Ahni having recently fractured her foot, compromising her mobility, and dental surgery requiring costly replacement of three teeth. Both Ahni and her partner are highly sensitive to mold mycotoxins. They left their beloved community of friends and family, and successful professional lives in New England for the Southwest desert in an act of desperation, as many mold-sensitive people do these days, to find mold-free housing. Consequently, their mold-free home has become more important and precious than most people could possibly imagine.

Eight years ago, she managed to purchase a small duplex which she can repair at the first sign of a plumbing or roof leak, without relying on some irresponsible rental property owner. With ownership of this home, which includes a humble art studio -my sister’s lifeline- her passionate production of artwork, the nightmare seemed over. She was even selected as one of “12 New Mexico Artists to Know Now.”

She pays the mortgage on this duplex, mainly with the rental income of her 1st floor renter. The rental half was without a tenant for over 6-months (at a $12,900 loss). The disappearance of this rental income stream has drained their emergency fund and meager resources. At the same time, 3-months ago, they were forced to replace the hot water heater at the tune of $5100. Compounding the situation, Ahni fractured her right foot 5th metatarsal bone on August 16, 2025. She has been over the past 4½-months in a boot cast, yet to fully heal, with associated medical expenditures not covered by insurance, and the resulting prohibition for acquiring temporary fill-in-the-gap employment. When it rains it pours. Despite eight years of successfully and easily renting this beautiful, modern, live/workspace, the current economy made it difficult to rent the space. This lack of rental income over the last several months is central to the very high risk of losing her Property.

As you can surmise, coupled with health challenges, especially their mold-mycotoxin sensitivities, and the potential loss of Ahni’s art-production studio, it’s a frightening prospect. We, her tiny family, can see that it is essential to Ahni’s survival to raise immediate emergency funds to bring in vital income until her foot heals, until she establishes additional employment income, and a renter moves in.

Ahní is still has a foot cast, and her partner has not been able to get his true miracle, -as he is being denied the second opinion, that he requested for a highly qualified surgeon who will accept his insurance to review his case. He is left disabled, without avenues for recuperation from his failed back-fusion surgery. As they struggle to refrain from depressive negative energy, and turn their focus toward the infinite possibilities this world could offer, we feel compelled to appeal to you to contribute thoughtfully to this fundraiser in whatever amount possible, to turn an potentially disastrous scenario, to one of newly equilibrated stable housing and the promise for many years to come of important artistic production essential to an eco-conscious world vision. This fundraiser is critical, as the mortgage also increased $200/month due to insurance rate hikes from floods and fires Nationally. With the raising of sufficient Go Fund Me funds, with a of $20,000, the financial ‘gap’ will be bridged into early 2026, with the maintenance, mortgage and utilities to be covered. With your heartfelt contribution my dear sister Ahní will be able to get back on her feet emotionally and financially.

Forever grateful,

The Rocheleau family